Agenda item

This report summarise performance in Q2 2019/20 on the delivery of the programmes and measures in the Council Plan which fall within the remit of this Committee and also presents the Q2 2019/20 review of the Strategic Risk Register.

Discussion:

Members considered a report which summarised performance in Quarter 2 2019/20 on the delivery of the programmes and measures in the Council Plan which fell within the remit of the Committee and also presented the Quarter 2 2019/20 review of the Strategic Risk Register.

A Member referred to the funding allocated to provide additional support and accommodation over the winter months and asked if this was new funding,  what was meant by winter months and whether the Council would be working with partners to help rough sleepers during colder weather spells. The Head of Financial Strategy confirmed that the Council would continue to work with its partners when the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol was activated.

A Member noted that 20% of the 6 measures of success that fell within the remit of the Committee were significantly below target and asked what the impact of this was on Medway and its residents. Members were advised this related to one measure (number of private sector properties improved as a result of the Council’s intervention) and the team were confident this target would be met by the end of the year. It was clarified that the figure of 72 private sector properties improved as a result of the Council’s intervention referred to complaints received where the Council was in a position to intervene and the total number of complaints would be provided. Noting the reference to a fire safety risk, a Member considered more detail should have been provided, in the light of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The Chief Finance Officer undertook to raise this with the Strategic Risk Management Group.

A Member commented that the decision not to include Brexit on the corporate risk register could affect the credibility of officers who were working with their counterparts in regional groups on Brexit related issues. The Chief Finance Officer advised that risks relating to Brexit featured in operational risk registers at service level.

Regarding the action plan to address the issues raised in the Ofsted Inspection of Children’s Services report, a Member asked if the Council was in a position to fund this. The Chief Finance Officer assured Members that significant additional funds were being allocated to children’s services and resources had also been more effectively redeployed.

A Member asked if the work generated for the Council by the new Medway Task Force, set up to tackle and reduce violent crime, could be resourced. The Chief Finance Officer advised additional resources had been allocated.

A Member queried why the Council was looking to use a private company to fine people for littering when street cleanliness performance had improved. The Committee was advised that the litter enforcement proposal was aimed at tackling littering at source in order to change behaviours in the longer term.

Whether there was a need to update the risk relating to the Pentagon Centre given the likelihood of corporate retail values changing was queried. The Chief Finance Officer confirmed that consultants had advised the Council on the risks involved in purchasing the Centre and the price paid largely reflected the risks involved. If there was a drop in retail values then in the long term the revenue benefits of rents from the property would compensate for this.

Regarding the residents with jobs and skills outcome, a Member asked for details of the quality of skills and jobs the Council was attempting to encourage.

Regarding complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman, Members were advised that the Council compared well compared to other councils.

Referring to the 18 new apprentices, it was noted that most of these roles were administrative or in customer services.

Decision:

The Committee agreed to:

a)     note the quarter 2 performance of the measures of success used to monitor progress against the Council’s priorities;

b)     note the quarter 2 review of the Strategic Risk Register, and;

c)     request details of all Brexit risks (either directly related to Brexit or incidental to it) that are contained in the operational risk registers.